Door closing and checking device.



A. H. SULSER. DOOR CLOSING AND CHECKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 0011s, 1911.

1,01 9,857, Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

PI/ML 288 7' I A. H. SULSER. DOOR CLOSING AND CHECKING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED 0011s, 1911.

1,019,857. Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADAM H. SULSER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

DOOR CLOSING AND CHECKING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADAM H. SULSER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Door Closing and Checking Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in door closers and checks, and the object of the invention is to provide a door closer which can be easily manufactured, quickly assembled or taken apart for repairs, and which may be applied to a right-hand, lefthand or a swinging door at will, the same operating with equal effectiveness irrespective of the swing of the door.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a checking mechanism on the swinging arm of the closing mechanism which will operate to check the closing movement of the door whether the latter be swung to the right or to the left, the combined mechanisms making a compact, effective, and neat appearing closing and checking device.

Referring to the drawings furnished and forming a part of this specification: Figure 1 is a top or plan view of a combined door closer and checking device illustrating one embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side view thereof. Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the rear portion of the device. Fig. 4c is a central longitudinal section through the closing and checking mechanism. Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a front view of the supporting bracket. Figs. 7 and 8 are side and bottom views respectively, of the sprocket wheel which is mounted on the supporting bracket of the device, and Figs. 9 and 10, are top and side views, respectively, of the sleeve to which the inner end of the controlling spring is attached.

The device as a whole includes a bracket A, an arm B pivotally secured thereto, a checking mechanism carried by said arm, and an adjustable link C pivotally connected to the outer end of the arm 13 and secured at its opposite end, preferably by a universal joint d, to a bracket D. The device is secured to a door and its casing by means of the brackets A and D, the former being secured to the door at or near its upper edge, and the latter to the casing above the door, as in prior devices of similar type.

The bracket A is provided with an upright stud or spindle a on which is jour- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 13, 1911.

Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

Serial No. 654,556.

naled a box or casing E, the latter being provided with a cover 6, which is adjustably but non-rotatively, secured to the casing by a screw e. Said screw is tapped in the rim of the cover so that its inner end will engage with any one of a series of holes 6 (see Fig. 4), the cover being thereby held in any desired radial adjustment with respect to the casing. Housed within the casing E is a spiral spring F which operates to return the arm B to normal position whenever it is moved in one direction or the other by the swinging movement of the door, said spring having its outer end f connected to the easing E and its inner end f connected to a sleeve G which is also join-naled on the spindle a. The outer end f of the spring is made in the form of a hook which enters a slot 6 in the casing E, and a similar hook is formed at the inner end f of the spring which enters a slot 9 in the sleeve G, so that the spring tends to rotate the casing and sleeve in opposite directions. The casing E and sleeve G are free to be rotated against the action of the spring, but their movements by the spring are limited by stops. The stop for the casing consists of a pin a, which for purposes of adjustment, may be inserted in any one of a series of holes 0 in the bottom wall of the casing, and which operates against the bracket A to limit the movement of the casing, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The pin a is preferably mounted or made integral with a swinging arm a mounted on the underside of the bracket concentrically with the stud or spindle a. Said arm is provided with a knurled handle or knob a* and also with a stem a occupying a recess or hole a formed in the underside of the bracket. The upper end of the stem a is provided with a head a which is engaged by a spiral spring a for holding the stem and arm a in elevated position with the pin a in engagement with the casing E, the lower end of said spring bearing upon a plate a secured to the bracket by screws, as clearly shown in Fig. 4:. By means of the knob a the pin a may be pulled down out of engagement with the casing E and then swung around opposite another hole 6 into which it will be drawn and held by the spring a as will be readily understood.

The sleeve G projects through the cover 6 of the casing and is provided at or near its upper end with an integral collar 9 carrying a projection or stop 9 which engages with a similar stop it projecting from the hub h of a sprocket H, the latter being fixedly secured to the upper end of the stud or spindle a. The hub of the sprocket wheel H is provided with a square opening 71. which fits the squared end 60 of the stud a, a screw a operating to hold the sprocket to the spindle, as best illustrated in Fig. 4. It will thus be seen that the stops 9 and h operate to limit the movement of the sleeve G by the spring F but that said sleeve is free to be rotated by the arm B against the tension of the spring as will now be ex plained.

The arm B is provided with a hub 72 j ournaled on the sleeve G between the collar 9 and the cover 6 of the spring casing, said arm being free to be swung in either direction around the axis of the stud a, but carries the sleeve against the tension of the spring F when moved in one direction, and carries the casing E against the spring when moved in the opposite direction. The collar 9 of the sleeve G is provided with a pro,- jection g which is engaged by the arm B when the latter is moved in one direction so as to move the sleeve Gr against the tension of the spring, the latter acting through said sleeve to return the arm to normal position. The cover 6 of the spring casing is likewise provided with a stop or projection e which is engaged by the arm B when moved in the opposite direction, so as to move the casing against the spring, which will act through the casing to return the arm to normal position.

\Vhen it is desired to change or adjust the tension of the spring, the arm B is moved in the direction to rotate the spring casing. This will cause the stop pin a to be moved out of engagement 'with the bracket A, when it may be moved from one hole 6 to another as already explained. This will change the position of stop 6 on the cover 6 with reference to the arm B, and to readjust said stop it is only necessary to release the engagement of the screw 6 with the body of the casing, rotate the cover to adjust the stop, and again set the screw in the proper hole 6 as will be readily understood.

I have devised a checking mechanism for use in connection with the closing mechanism above described, which will operate to check the closing movement of the door regardless of the direction in which the door may swings This mechanism is mounted on or within the arm B, the latter being made in the form of a hollow tube closed at both ends and having an enlarged central chamber Z) for the reception of the operating mechanism. The opposite ends of the arm constitute cylinders in each of which is mounted a reciprocating piston J, J the latter being made to closely fit the interior of the cylinders and being provided with a passage j through which liquid may pass when the cylinders are moved inwardly toward each other. The passages j are each cont-rolled by a ball valve j which operate to close the passages when the cylinders are moved outwardly, or away from each other. The pistons are connected by pivotally mounted rods is, to oppositely arranged cranks 7: and 70 the latter being formed on opposite sides of a disk K, rotatively mounted in the chamber I). Said chamber is circular and the disk K is made to loosely fit the interior thereof with its outer edge resting 011 a shoulder or ledge 6 The crank pin 70 projects downwardly from the disk K through the end of the piston rod is and also through the end of a link L which is pivotally mounted on a stud Z concentric with the axis of the disk K; said link serving to hold the rod 70 in place on the crank pin. The crank pin 76 projects upwardly from the disk K through the end of the piston rod 70 and is provided with a squared end it" which enters a square hole in a disk m which is preferably formed integral with a shaft M, the crank and disk m being se cured together by a screw m, all as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The'chamber b is provided with a cover 6 through which the shaft M projects, a stuffing box m? being provided for preventing the escape of liquid with which the chamber Z) and the cylinders are filled, said cover being secured to the circular wall of the chamber 6 by means of screws, as clearly shown.

A sprocket wheel N is fixed to the upper end of the shaft M, and is connected by an endless chain 0 with the sprocket H, which is fixed to the bracket A and serves to rotate 'the shaft M whenever the arm B is moved relatively to the bracket A, the direction of rotation of the shaft being gov erned by the direction of movement of the arm B. The cylinder and the chamber 6 are filled with glycerin or other suitable liquid, so that when the arm B is moved by the swinging movement of the door, the shaft M will be rotated in one direction or the other and will cause the cranks Z3 and k to pull the pistons J and J inwardly toward each other, the liquid passing freely through the passages j from the rear to the forward or compression ends of the cylinders. When the arm B starts to return to normal position, the ball valves j will close the passages so that the liquid in the forward or compression ends of the cylinders will operate to retard the outward movement of the pistons and thus operate to check the return movement of the door. A small by-pass P is provided in the walls of the cylinder for the slow passage of the liquid from the compression end of the cylinder to the rear end of the pistons, these passages being controlled by a screw 7) in a well known manner.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and des'ire'to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a door closing device, the combination of a supporting bracket, an arm pivotally connected thereto, a spring casing rotatably mounted on said bracket, a spring housed within saidcasing and having one end connected thereto to rotate the same, a rotatable element connected to the other end of said spring and adapted to be rotated thereby in an opposite direction, stops for limiting the rotation of said casing and said rotatable element by said spring, said arm being adapted to engage and rotate the easing against the tension of the spring when moved in one direction, and engage and r0- tate said rotatable element against the tension of the spring when moved in the opposite direction.

2. Ina door closing device, the combination of a supporting bracket provided with a stud or spindle, of a spring casing rotatably mounted thereon, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said spindle, a spring housed within said casing having one end connected therewith and the other end connected with said sleeve, said spring tending to rotate said casing and sleeve in opposite directions stops for limiting the rotative movements of said casing and sleeve, and an arm pivotally supported by said bracket and adapted to rotate said casing against the tension of said spring when moved in one direction, and to rotate said sleeve against the tension of the spring whenmoved in the opposite direction.

3. In a door closing device, the combination of a supporting bracket, a spring casing rotatably supported thereby and having a series of holes in its bottom wall, a spring housed within said casing adapted to rotate the same, an arm pivotally mounted on said bracket and adapted to rotate said casing against the action of said spring, and a stop adapted to be inserted in any one of said series of holes and engage said bracket for limiting the movement of said casing by said spring.

4. In a door closing device, the combination of a supporting bracket, a spring casing rotatably supported thereby and having a series of holes in its bottom wall, a sprmg housed within said casing adapted to rotate the same, an arm pivotally mounted on said bracket and adapted to rotate said casing against the action of said spring, and a stop pivotally mounted concentrically with the axis of said casing and adapted to enter any one of said series of holes and engage the bracket for limiting the movement of the casing by said sprin 5. In a door closing device, the combination of a supporting bracket, a spring casing rotatably supported thereby and having a series of holes in the bottom wall thereof, a spring housed within said casing and adapted to rotate the same, an arm pivotally mounted on the bracket and adapted to rotate said casing against the action of said spring, a stop pivotally supported by the bracket concentrically with the axis of said casing adapted to enter any one of said series of holes and engage the bracket for limiting the movement of the casing by said spring, said stop being adapted to be pulled outwardly away from said casing and moved on its pivotal support, and a spring for yieldingly holding said stop in engagement with said casing.

6. In a door closing device, the combination of a supporting bracket provided with a stud or spindle, a spring casing journaled on said stud, a sleeve also journaled on said stud, a spring housed within said casing having one end connected thereto, and the other end connected to said sleeve, said spring being adapted to rotate said casing and sleeve in opposite directions, a stop adjustably connected to said casing and adapted to engage said bracket for limiting the movement of said casing, a stop carried by said sleeve, and a fixed stop engaging therewith, and an arm journaled on said sleeve adapted to engage and rotate the easing against the tension of the spring when moved in one direction and to engage and rotate said sleeve against the tension of the spring when moved in the opposite direction.

7. In a door closing device, the combination of a supporting bracket, provided with a stud or spindle, a spring casing journaled on said stud, a cover for said c1 sing adjustably secured thereto, a sleeve also j ournaled on said stud and projecting through said cover, a spring housed within said casing having one end connected thereto and the other end connected to said sleeve, said spring being adapted to rotate said casing and sleeve in opposite directions, a stop carried by said casing adapted to engage said bracket for limiting the rotation of said casing, a stop carried by said sleeve and a fixed stop engaging therewith to limit the rotative movement of said sleeve, an arm journaled on said sleeve, a stop on said cover adapted to be engaged by said arm for moving the casing against the tension of the spring, and a stop on said sleeve adapted to be engaged by said arm when moved in the opposite direction for moving said sleeve against the tension of the sprin 8. In a door closing and checking device, the combination of a supporting bracket, an arm pivotally secured thereto, checking mechanism carried by said arm, a rotatable shaft mounted on said arm for operating said mechanism, and suitable connections between said shaft and said bracket for rotating said shaft when said arm is moved on its suitable support.

9. In a door closing and checking device, the combination of a supporting bracket, an arm pivotally secured thereto, checking mechanism carried by said arm, a rotating shaft mounted on said arm for operating said mechanism, a sprocket wheel mounted on said shaft, a sprocket wheel fixedly mounted on said bracket and an endless chain connecting said sprockets for rotating said shaft when said arm is moved on its pivotal support.

10. In a door closing and checking device, the combination of a supporting bracket, an arm pivotally secured thereto, a piston operatively mounted in said arm, a rotatable shaft mounted in said arm adapted to operate said piston,'and means connecting said shaft with a fixed portion of said bracket for rotating the shaft when said arm is moved on its pivotal support.

11. In a door closing and checking device, the combination of a supporting bracket, of a hollow arm pivot-ally secured thereto, checking mechanism mounted within said arm, a shaft rotatably mounted in said arm adapted to operate said checking mechanism, and means connecting said shaft with a fixed portion of said bracket for rotating the shaft when said arm is moved on its pivotal support.

12. In a door closing and checking device, the combination of a supporting bracket, a hollow arm pivotally secured thereto, a reciprocating piston mounted in "said arm, a crank shaft also mounted in said arm adapted to reciprocate said piston, and means connecting said shaft with the fixed por tion of said bracket for rotating the shaft when said arm is moved.

13. In a door closing and checking device, the combination of a supporting bracket, a hollow arm pivotally secured thereto, a pair of reciprocating pistons within said arm adapted to be moved toward and from each other, a crank shaft operatively connected to said pistons, a sprocket wheel mounted on said shaft, a second sprocket wheel fixedly mounted on said bracket concentrically with the pivotal support of said arm, and an endless chain connecting said sprocket wheels.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ADAM H. SULSER.

Witnesses ANNIE COOPER, HOWELL BARTLE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

